Receptacle-sealing cap.



No. $75,074:. 7 PATENTED DEC. 31, 1907. w. E. HEATH.

RBG EPTAGLE SEALING GAP APPLICATION FILED 11mm. 1907.

WILLIAM E. HEATH, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

RECEPTACLE-SEALING CAP.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 31, 1907.

Application filed January 14. 1907. Serial No. 352.231.

To all whom it mayconcern.

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM E. HEATH, a citizen of theUnited States,residing at Baltimore city, State of Maryland, have invented certain newand useful Im rovements in Receptacle-Sealing Caps; and do herebydeclare the 'followin to be a full, clear, and exact description 0 theinvention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which itappertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to certain improvements in bottle sealing caps.

The objects and nature of my' invention will be readily understood bythose skilled in the art in the light of the followingexplanations ofthe embodiments shown in the accompan ing drawings as examples fromamong 0t er arrangements and formations within the spirit and scope ofmy invention.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved sealing cap capableof being bent into locking contact with a shoulder on the head of abottle and includin by virtue of its construction, means whic1 willenable any one to remove the cap clear of the bottle and thus get at itscontents, without the employment of any tool or instrument whatsoever;the fingers alone being all that is required to effect a quick andspeedy removal of the cap locked to the head. of a bottle.

I A further object of my invention is to provide a more economical capthan those now in present use, by eliminating the extra expense due tothe purchase of specially constructed openers, which are necessary inorder to pr the caps ofi the bottles, and also in the saving to thetrade of bottles which are now broken by the consumer in order to get atthe contents when an opener is not at hand; the percentage of bottlessobroken being considerable.

A still further object of my invention is to provide an improved sealingcap capable of conforming to bottle mouths varying somewhat in size, andwhich, when contracted or otherwise locked on the bottle mouth, will beheld under tension, or contracted from its normal size or condition, andwhich is so formed, that without the use of any tool or speciallyconstructed instrument, the fingers can be employed .to break or severthe tension of the cap and thereby permit the cap to act on its tendencto rebound, expand, or spring to its norma condition, so that the may beremoved from the bottle by the fingers alone.

Fig. 3, is a vertical section through the cap of Fig. 1, beforeapplication to the bottle mouth. Fig. 4, is a vertical section throughthe cap of Fig. 2, before application to thebottle mouth. Fig. 5, is aperspective showing the finger piece bent up preparatory to breaking ordetaching the same from the remainder of the cap. Fig. 6, is a topplanof the cap of Fig. 1, showing the same expanded after the detachment ofthe finger iece. p Inthe drawings, 1, is the mouth portion 01" a bottleor other receptacle having the exterior annular locking roove, shoulderor contracted. portion 2, a s ight distance below the annular top edgeof the bottle mouth.

The seal comprises a metal cap adapted to fit over the mouth of thebottle and compress a sealing disk against the top edge of the bottlemouth and having a depending locking flange bent into locking contactwith the shoulder 2, which looks the cap, holding said disk compressed,to maintain a tight seal.

The cap of the type illustrated by Fig. 1, is struck up from sheet metalwith an approxi mately flat top and a depending flan e 3, adapted to bespun or turned under the 00kingshoulder of the bottle.

The top of the cap is out to form a usually enlar ed finger piece 4,normally arranged in the pTane of the cap and at its free endterminating in upturned edge 40, by which the finger piece can be easilyraised. The looplike cut forming the finger piece has its ends spaced ashort distance apart and extended toward the edge of the cap to form thecornparatively narrow neck 41, forming the connection between the fingerpiece 4, and the annular top horizontal flange of the cap, formed bycutting out the finger piece.

The locking flange 3, of the cap is completely severed by cut or slit 5,which is preferably extended into the cap top and longitudinally intothe neck or connecting ligament 41,so that a line transverse of saidneck will intersect the slit 5, and the two outs forming said neck,whereby the uncut portions of metal between cut 5, and the cuts formingthe neck 41 hold the cap against spreading at the slit 5. v w

In View of the fact that when the flange of the cap is bent into lockingcontact with the shoulder of the bottle, a very stiff and rigid resultis attained, it becomes necessary to so slit the top horizontal flangeby one or more cuts, that when the final operation prior to the actualremoval of the cap has taken place, these cuts will cause the cap tospring away from the locking shoulder, and enable the operator torelease the cap from its look ing contact with the greatest of ease.

thereby provide the top of the cap with one or more radial cuts or slits6, extending from the finger-piece forming cut to or about to the to ofthe depending locking flange. I particu arly provide such a radial slitdiametrically opposite the slit 5, and if desired can arrange slits 6,half way between slit 5, and said diametrically opposite slit 6.However, I might employ but one slit 6 or possibly two slits 6. a

Without the slotting of the cap flange by the slits 6 it would beimpossible to remove the cap with the fingers even after the metal hadbeen broken transversely of the slit 5, for the circumferential rigidityof the cap when locked to the bottle would be so great, that a tool ofsome kind would have to be employed to pry the flange apart at the slit5; hence the employment by me of the slits 6. I can also cut away thedepending locking. flange below and communicating with eachv slit 6, soas to form the opening or slot 7, communicating with slit 6, leavingsaid bridged by an expansible circumferential piece or ligament 8,connecting the uncut portions of the flange on opposite sides of theopening 7. This ligament 8 is bulged outwardly at its central portion,and I can provide the locking flange with any suitable number of thesebulged circumferential portions, whereby said flange is renderedexpansible to properly fit all sizes of bottle cork or other sealingmedium upon the bottle mouth, the bulged portions will completely orpartiall straighten out or distend, and

' thereby a1 ow the cap to expand to just the required extent to enableit to properly seat sure to compress the sealin itself on the bottlemouth being capped; the slots 6 through the top horizontal flangeallowing the depending flange of the cap to expand circumferentialcapping or sealing of different sized bottles.

Whether or not expansion of the cap locking flange is provided for byvertical corrugations, or by bulged ortions, such as 8, said flange canexpand s ig1 tly, where necessary to fit the bottle mout by reason ofthe fact that the flange is cut or divided completely through by slot orcut 5.

After the top and depending flanges of my cap are slotted as shown,there is lacking a certain amount of rigidity on account of the slit 5,through the depending flange of the cap. Therefore, in order to stiffenand restore the cap to a condition of rigidity equal to if not greaterthan its original condition, I provide a metal disk 9, preferably thuspermitting the with a depending flange, which disk fits being fastenedto the neck of a bottle.

The locking cap is held down under presd-isk on the bottle mouth, andwhile thus eld, the looking flange is spun or otherwise bent under thelocking shoulder 2 of the bottle. act of thus bending the lockingflange, laces the cap under severe tension; that is t e cap is therebyabnormally contracted or bent from its normal inactive condition orposition, and the metal of the cap being thus strained, tends to reboundand return to its normal condition when the slotted flange of the cap isallowed to expand by the severing of the metal across the slit 5. Thecap is composed of comparatively stiff somewhat elastic material and thespring or resiliency thereof is increased by turning or bending thelower edge of the flange to lock the same, and I render the entire capresilient or capable of expanding when its annular or ringlike form issevered or broken, by one or more slits in the top thereof, ashereinbefore described. It will hence be apparent, that to release thecap from the bottle, it is only necessary to break or sever thering-like cap or annulus, and thereupon the cap will spread or springopen sufliciently to enable the locking flan e to clear the lockingshoulder of the bott e and permit the fingers to easily remove the capfrom the bottle.

As a convenient means for severing the ring-like portion or. annulus ofthe cap, I have disclosed the finger piece, hereinbefore The described,although I do not so wish to limit my invention, as other arrangementswithin the broad features might be employed for this purpose.

In the specific example shown in Fig. 1, to release the cap, the fingerpiece is raised and then bent back and forth several times until theneck thereof'into which the slit 5 extends is transversely severed,whereupon the cap springs open or expands at the slit 5, and one or moreof the radial top slots 6, so that the cap can be lifted fromthe bottlemouth with the fingers. 4

The form of cap shownby Fig. 2, is struck up from sheet metal, with thedepending flaring flange 11, formed with. the vertical corrugations 12.This cap is locked by contracting the flange so that the corrugationsproject beneath the locking shoulder 2 of the bottle mouth. I sever thevertical locking flange of this cap by the slit 13, and continue thisslit radially into the cap top and longitudinally into the neck 14 bywhich the fin'- ger piece 15, is connected or joined in the cap top asheretofore described. This finger piece 15 is formed in the cap top by alooplike cut as explained in connection with the construction of Fig. 1.The cap is rendered resilient and expansible by one or more radial slitsor slots 16, in the top thereof extending from the fingerpiece-fcrming-cut toward and approximately to the juncture between thecap top and the locking flange.

The corrugations of the flange 11 render the cap capable of receivingand being properly locked on bottle mouths, varying in size, and whenthe flange is contracted and bent into locking contact with the shoulder2, said cap is thereby contracted and placed under tension; the cap byreason of the slots or slits being made resilient with the tendency toexpand to its normal condition as soon as the strain or tension of themetal is relieved. Hence, when the finger piece is bent up and its necksevered or broken, as in the first described construction, the cap willspring open and so loosen on the bottle mouth as to break the seal andpermit easy removal of the cap by the fingers.

It is evident that various changes and modifications might be resortedto in the parts, and constructions described, or that features orelements might be added or other features or elements eliminated,without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention, hence I donot wish to limit myself to the exact constructions shown.

What I claim is 1; A sealing cap having an expansible depending lockingflange, said cap being partially severed through said flange and acrossits top and formed with a connecting ortion normally preventingspreading of t e cap where partially severed, a finger piece forbreaking said portion, said cap being resilient and contracting undertension when secured on a receptacle mouth.

, 2. A cap having a depending locking flange divided by a slot extendinginto and partly across the top of said cap, the cap top being cut toform a finger piece and a horizontal top flange, said top flange dividedby one or more slots.

3. A cap having a locking flange divided by a single slot extending intoand partly across the top of said cap, the cap top being cut to form atop horizontal flange divided by one or more slots, and a finger pieceintegral with said horizontal flange, and a flanged metal disk withinsaid cap.

4. A sealing device comprising a stiff metal cap having an expansibledepending locking flange, through said flange and partially across thecap top, and finger operated means for breaking the non-severed portionof the cap. top which holds the cap against opening or spreading whenbent or locked on a bottle mouth, substantially as described.

5. A sealing device comprising a stiff metal cap having a dependinglocking flange adapted to be bent under the locking shoulder of a bottlemouth to lock andcontract the cap under tension on the b0ttle,.said capbeing severed completely across the top and through the flange exceptfor an unbroken' connecting portion holding the cap against spreading,and means for severing or breaking said portion, and thereby permittingthe cap, when locked on the bottle mouth, to spring open or spread forremoval from the bottle by the fingers.

6. A sealing device comprising an. inner cap provided with a sealingmedium disk, and an outer stiff metal cap having a depending lockingflange adapted to be bent under the locking shoulder of a bottle mouthto lock and contract the cap on the bottle under tension, said outer capbeing cut or severed completely across the top and at one point downthrough said flange, except for an unbroken connecting portion holdingsaid ca against opening or s reading while being ent and after beinglocked on the bottle, said cap being formed with a finger operatedportion for severing or breaking said portion and thereby permit the capto spring open or spread for easy lifting from the bottle by thefingers.

7. A bottle sealing cap having a depending locking flange adapted to bebent under a bottle mouth locking shoulder to lock and contract the capunder tension on the bottle, said cap being severed through said flangeand completely across the top to the flange at a point opposite thecut'through the flange said cap being severedexcept for and being formedwith a top conv necting portion holdin the cap against spreading andhaving a ger piece whereby 10. form the cap in sections connected by theuncut portion-of the flange and by said con-.

said. portion can be broken to permit the cap to spread or open on thebottle mouth for easy removal therefrom.

' 8. A sealing device comprising a stiff metal cap having a dependingflaring locking flange adapted to fit bottle mouths of different di-'ameters and be bent under the locking shoulder thereof, said cap beingcompletely severed across the top and through said flange, except .for anarrow connecting portion, to

necting portion, and'formed with means for breaking or severingxsaidconnecting portion. 9. A sealing cap aving a depending looking flange,said cap being severed through said flange and completely across its topexcept fora connectin portion normally preventing spreading ofl the capwhereb said cap is contracted under tension whenv ocked on the bottlemouth, and a finger piece for breaking said portion, whereby when saidportion is severed the cap opensor spreads thereby ermitting rer'novalthereof from the receptac e'mouth..

10. A bottle sealing device comprising an annular locking member formedof one iece of stiff metal having a horizontal top ange and a dependinglocking flange adapted to be bent under the locking shoulder of abottlemouth to lock and contract said member under tension on thebottle, said top flange being cut through to the depending flange and atan op oslte point said member being cut complete y through the top anddepending flanges except for a cross connecting portion having arejecting piece whereby said 7 portion can be ent and broken to permitthe member to spring or spread for easy removal narrow connectingportion'holding the cap under tension andv against spreading and afinger piece rojecting from said portion for severing or breaking thesame and thereby relieve the tension on the cap and permit the same tospring open for easy removal from the bottle.

12. A bottle seal comprising .a flanged cap having its top cut to form afinger piece joined in the top by a neck, said cap being cut through itsflange and into said neck in the top thereof thereby rendering saidflange expansible.

13. A bottle seal comprising a flanged stiff metal locking cap havingits top out to form a finger piece adapted to be bent up and brokentherefrom and with a slit extending from said out about radially throughthe top, said flange being severed by a cut extending into the topthrough the portion adapted tov be broken by said finger piece.

14. A sealing device comprising a stiff metal flanged locking cap cutthrough the top to render the same expansible and formed with a topfinger piece, said flange being severed by a cut extending into the top,where by said flange can expand to fit'bottle mouths of differentdiameters.

- 15. A sealing device comprising a flanged In testimony whereof I aflixmy signature,

in presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM E. HEATH;

Witnesses:

D. ARDIN CARRIOK, Geo. W. OAR'RIox.

